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AAA Newsletter

Issue 8- June 2002

Published: Bi Monthly

1. National Network News

New AAA Website

The new AAA Website is up and running. The site is super accessible, and for the first time includes information on AAA's Associate Members and back copies of this newsletter. (This site)

Welcome to New AAA Member

AAA welcomes its new Associate Member, Junction House, based in Sydney for many years, Junction House provides social and artistic opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Home of the famous Junction House band, they run lots of music and arts programs. You can contact them at junctionhouse@iprimus.com.au

High Beam Festival

The High Beam Disability Cultures Festival went off like a bomb in Adelaide, and Arts Access Australia had its annual conference around the same time and place. The Festival included performances from artists and companies from overseas, such as Phillip Pastson and Matt Fraser, Interstate companies such as Arts Access who performed CACA Courage, and local talent included Restless Dance, and the Tutti Ensemble performing with David Helfgott. People came from all over including the US and Hong Kong to participate in the Festival. If you missed out - there's always 2004!

Darwin Arts and Disability Steering Committee (AAA)

The Darwin Arts and Disability Steering Committee is up and running with a new development project that includes disability awareness training for artists, arts training for disability workers and arts projects. To get involved contact info@dadaanat.net.au

2. Government News

ACROD Response to Federal Budget

ACROD called the May Federal Budget a "carrot and stick budget". Whilst supporting the Governments stated commitment to the principle of encouraging the greater social and economic participation of people with disabilities, ACROD has serious reservations about the feasibility of the measures for improving the work capacity of people with disabilities, as well as the potentially punitive nature of the obligations under which many may expect to find themselves. More information at www.acrod.org.au

NSW State parliamentary inquiry into disability services

Disability services in NSW were not user friendly for people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Speaking at a state parliamentary inquiry into disability services, the Director General of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Margaret Allison said there was inadequate representation of non-English speaking disabled people accessing government services.

Ms Allison said three per cent of NSW disability service users were born in a non-English speaking country this compares to 15 per cent of the state's population came from non-English speaking backgrounds.

3. International News

The International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers

It had its inaugural conference in Adelaide, South Australia, as part of the High Beam Festival 2002. Initiated by New Zealand writer, comedian and activist Philip Patson, the guild has been set up to promote and foster disability arts and culture on a world scale. Read the full story.

The Fourth Disability Film Festival National Film Theatre, London June 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th 2002.

Disabled people have clear creative ownership of the majority of the films to be screened. Widely diverse in style and content, these films are informed by the experience of living in a disabling world. The festival aims to raise the profile of disabled filmmakers, showcase their work and provide a lively forum for issues, which include identity, aesthetics, access, integration, training and opportunities. Contact: Caglar Kimyoncu, +44 (0)20 7691 4203 Fax +44 (0)20 7691 4201

4. Events Coming up

World Congress on Inclusion

Arts Access (Melbourne) is curating a disability arts festival in conjunction with Inclusion International, 22 - 26th September, 2002, at Melbourne Convention Centre. A visual arts program, performing arts program and film program will be offered. For more information contact Arts Access: email: info@artsaccess.com.au

Synergy: Arts, Health and Design World Symposium - call for abstracts Sydney, from 2 to 5th February 2003

June 5th is the deadline for early bird registration and call for abstracts. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of an important event that will inspire and shape research and practice in the field. You can download the first announcement and call for papers http://www.placemaking.com.au

Shifting Aesthetics - Disability and Performance Conference, London

In November 2002 the University of North London and the London Arts Board will be hosting this conference. The conference will examine access to higher-level, performing arts training opportunities for disabled people in the context of: policy (including new legislation, funding, quality); practice (examples of successful provision); research (feedback from recent research and mapping exercises, and current academic debates around 'disability aesthetics'). Contributions are invited from practitioners/academics/organisations/ institutions. More information email c.hodgson@unl.ac.uk

Celebrating Creative Spaces Conference NZ UPDATE

In February 2003 this will be a meeting where everyone shares their experiences of their creative spaces and the issues associated with them. If your Creative Space wishes to contribute to these exhibitions and have not already been in touch could you give Jenna-Lea Philpott a ring at Arts Access Aotearoa office phone +64 4 916 4885.More information: www.artsaccess.org.nz

Club Wild features bands, DJ's and solo performers a great night out

Features plenty of room for dancing and opportunities for interaction between the audience and the performers. For hot dates coming up go to: www.clubwild.net

5. New Websites

A New Disability Portal Website (Australia)

www.disability.com.au will to be the "Disability Portal" for more than 70,000 registered users (which represents 5% of the estimated 1.4m people who have both a strong interest in disability, and access to the Internet). The four main features of the site will be: News, Registration and E-commerce. If you are interested in this project contact Link for more information: link@ability-network.com.au.

US Disability History Museum

"Astounding Disclosures, Three Years In A Mad House, 1852 and essays by the late disability sociologist Irving Zola are some of the things you will find in The Disability History Museum. It is a searchable, theme-based digital collection Materials date back to the 18th century, illuminating daily life, work, charity, popular culture, local and national political milestones, shifts in visual representation and medical knowledge, and the rise and fall of a variety of social movements. http://www.disabilitymuseum.org.

6. Resources

New Reports on Web Usability

Two new reports on web usability have been released containing useful information on how seniors (those over 65 years old) and people with disabilities understand and use the web. The reports contain many commonsense tips for designing web sites that are easier for all members of an organisation's audience to use.

The reports are available online at http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20020428.html (for seniors), and http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20011111.html (for people with disabilities)

CMC Performing Arts Report Available online

The 'Small to Medium Performing Arts Sector' review. Presented to a meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) in March is now available online at http://www.dramaticonline.com/view/rd.asp?Id=14700

Disability Rights Speech available on Web

Disability discrimination legislation in Australia from an international human rights perspective: History, achievements and prospects a speech by Dr Sev Ozdowski, Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner is available now.

7. Grants / Fellowships

Studio Centre/Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Fellowships

Three month-long Residency Fellowships, funded by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, to be awarded to outstanding visual artists and/or writers living with physical disabilities. Artists who are not selected for the VSC/CRPF Fellowships will be eligible for partial grants made through the Studio Center1s own grants program. The Vermont Studio Centre serves 500 artists and writers per year.

All VSC Residents receive a private studio appropriate to their medium, three meals per day, comfortable housing, and the company of an American and International community of painters, sculptors, poets, writers, and printmakers in residence each month. More information email info@vermontstudiocenter.org or at www.vermontstudiocenter.org. Applications must be postmarked by June 17, 2002.

New Telstra Foundation

The Telstra Community Development Fund, supporting cultural, health, education, research and disability programs that focus on helping children and young people make the most of their lives will be accepting grant applications twice this year, applications closing 27 September (for a decision made by early December). Further information: http://www.telstrafoundation.com

8. Your Feedback, Contributions and Ideas

If you have anything you would like listed in this newsletter, want to give feedback, or be removed from this list contact: info@dadaanat.net.au

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